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Hossa to debut tonight

Print | Comments () Posted by Fluto Shinzawa, Globe Staff February 28, 2008 12:21 PM

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Marian Hossa, acquired by Pittsburgh five minutes before Tuesday's 3 p.m. trade deadline, will play his first game as a Penguin tonight. Hossa will wear his usual No. 18, which was given up by injured forward Adam Hall.

"It's definitely a relief," Hossa said. "Finally everything's over. I can start a new page and get a good start with a new team."

Hossa said he heard whispers about landing in Boston, where he would have been reunited with fellow Slovakian Zdeno Chara, former Atlanta teammates Marc Savard and Glen Metropolit, and ex-Senators Peter Schaefer and Shane Hnidy.

"I heard news about Boston too, but it never happened," said Hossa. "I always enjoy playing with Big Z. Maybe one day again. We'll see."

* Ty Conklin will start tonight.

* Ex-Bruin Hal Gill said he didn't expect being dealt by Toronto on Tuesday, but was happy to arrive in Pittsburgh. "I feel like they want me," said Gill, which brought a response from new teammate Ryan Malone. "We love you Skillsy. We really do," cracked Malone.